Motor-vehicle.



iii 2511 S. B. GRAY, D E G'D.

a. s. GRAY, EXLOUTOR. MOTOR VEHIQLE. APPLICATION TIL-ED SEPT. 25, 1906.

Patnted Dec. 26, 1911.

EEETB-SHEBT 1.

S. B. GRAY, DECD.

B. S. GRAY, EXEGUTOR. MOTOR VEHICLE. APPLICATION FILED 811F125, 1906.

7 SHEETS-SHEET z.

Patented 'Dec. 26, 1911.

, DEG

S. B. GRAY B. S. GRAY, EXEUUTOR.

MOTOR VEHICLE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT..25, 1906.

Patented Dec. 26, 1911.

'ISHEETS-SHEET 3.

mmsl.

S. B. GRAY, DECD.

B. s. GRAY, EXEOUTOR.

MOTOR VEHICLE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 25, 1906.

Patented Dec, 26, 1911.

mmml.

7 SHEETSSHEET 4.

Qm vwh H m3 mm O m mm s. B. GRAY, Damn. B. s. GRAY, nxnomon.

. MOTOR VEHICLE.

APPLIOA'ZION FILED SEPT. 25, 1906.

v Patented Dec. 26, 191 v '1 sums-8mm 5.

S. B. GRAY, DBGD.

B. s. eRA nXEond-mz. MOTOR vmrcmz. APPLIUATMN FILED SEPT. 25, 1 906;

Patented Dec. 26, 1911.

im gama 5% 'I'SHEBTEPSiiEBT s,

S. B. GRAY, 'DEGD.

B. s. GRAY, EXEOUTOR.

MOTOR VEHICLE. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 25, 1906.

Patented Dec. 26, 1911.

' '1 SHEETS -SHEET 7.

MEI.

entree. earns learner rs;

STEPHEN 'B. GRAY, F JACKSONVILLE, ILLINOIS; BARTLETT S. GRAY -SA ID STEPHEN B. GRAY, DECEASED.

r MOTOR-VEHICLE.

Specification of Letters Patent. P te t d De 26, 1911. Application filed September 25, 1906. Serial No. 336,172.v I

To all whom it'may concern:

Be it known that I, STEPHEN B. GRAY, a resident of Jacksonville, in the county of Morgan and State of Illinois, have invented certainnew and useful Improvements in Motor-Vehicles, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The invention relates to power-driven vehicles such as automobiles or'traction engines and more particularly to the driving mechanism whereby power is transmitted -from the motor to the traction wheels and to the steering mechanism for determining the direction of travelof the vehicle. In

practice it has been found desirable to drive all of the wheels of the vehicle 2'. 6., to make all of them traction-wheels. When all of the wheels are positively driven it becomes possible to drive the wheels so the vehicle will be steered in the customary way i.'e., so the rear wheels will follow substantially in the curvilinear path' of the front wheels and also to'manipulate the vehicle so that both the rear and front wheels may be. 0p: erated or swung to sheer or direct the vehiclebodily to one side or the other as desired by turning all of the wheels in the same direction. The latter method-of steering is frequently desirable where'there is insufficient room for the vehicle to make a long turn, 3. g. in driving the vehicle up to a curb or in any other instance where a sharp and bodily lateral movement is necessary to avoid accident. oftentimes in passing a vehicle on a narrow road it is advantageous to drive the vehicle to one'side of the road in as short a space as possible, and in other instances turning and'reversing or backing the vehicle are necessary to bring itinto the desired place.

One feature of the invention designs to ;provide an improved motor-vehicle embodying steering-mechanism by which all of the wheels may be simultaneously swung in 'parallel relation to facilitate dirigibility of the vehicle.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved mechanism in which both the rear and front wheels are dirigible and positively driven and are all capable of being'operated in the same direction to d rect the vehicle laterally in the desired direction.

Another important object of theinven-.

tion is to provide a motor-vehicle with .vehicle from a straight course.

tively drive all of'the wheels without variation of their relative speed in turning the In other words to make it possible to steer the vehi'cle and drive at; traction-maintaining speed all of the wheels without variation of their relative speed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a steering mechanism whereby the rear and front wheels may be turned in opposite directions respectively to cause the vehicle to travel over acurved path and whereby they may also be shifted in the same direction to cause the vehicle to be directed bodily and laterally.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved motor-wheel embodying steeringmechanism whereby all of the Wheels can be shifted in the same direction and variable speed-mechanism.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved vehicle embodying driving mechanism whereby the wheels of one side may be driven at differential relative speed with respect to those of the other side and which can also be operated to drive the EXECUTOB 0F wheels at the same speed when so desired in steering the vehicle.

The invention further designs to provide an improved construction for the dirigible wheels and driving-connection therefor.

' The invention further designs to provide improved driving mechanism and steering mechanism for motor vehicles.

The invention consists in the several novel features hereinafter set forth and more particularly defined by claims at the conclusion hereof.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a motor-vehicle embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a plan, parts being omitted. Fig. 3 is a skeleton plan showing all of the wheels turned in the same direction, the driving mechanism being omitted.

Fig. 4 is a section on line 44 ofFig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a-detail partly in section and partly in elevation of the-controlling mechanism. Fig. 6 is' a detail section on line 66 of Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a section on line -77 of Fig. 2 on a somewhat larger scale.

Fig. 8 is a section through one of the wheels showing the'driving gear therefor. Fig. 9' is a detail, being a section on line 99 of Fig. 8. Fig. 10'is a section on line 10--l0 ios of Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is a view in central. lon- I gitudinal section on line 1111.of Fig. 7.

Fig. 12 is a horizontal section on line 1212 of Fig. 7. Fig.- 13 is a detail view showing shifting devices.

A denotes a supporting-frame which may be of any-suitable construction, to which are rigidly'secured a front axle or cross-bar A and a rear axle or cross-bar A B, B, the 0 front traction wheels, and C, O the..rear 'tracti'on wheels. Each of the traction wheels is Idirigible and journaled onaspin dle or stub-axle 12 (see Figs. 2, 8, 9 and 10) ,whi ch'is provided with a recess 13 wherein /is'hel d thev extended or flattened axle-terminal 14:. A pintle 15 .pivotally connects.

the spindle to the axle, so that the wheel 7 and spindle can be turned horizontally.

.Spindle 12 and the hub 16 of the wheel, are respectively provided with-bearing elements if any well known construction, which form {journal for the traction-wheel. A caplhut l7 secures the hub of the wheel against outward movement on the spindle. A shoulder 18. on the spindle confines the hub agai 'nst inward play and the hub is journaled on the spindle although it will be understood that any suitable and well known also be understood that the body of the wheel may" be of any suitable construction, according to the uses for which the vehicle is designed. The terminal 14 of the axle is flattened and fits snugly in recess 13 of the stub axle and thereby the latter is held against rotation, The recess 13 and axleterminal are formed to permit the spindle to be turned laterally with the wheel so the .vehicle can be steered. Each of the spini dles has secured thereto an arm 19 which is connected to the steering mechanism as here- 'inaf'ter described. As a result of this construction the pivot-point or spindle,'about .which the wheel is turned, is brought swostantiallyinto alinement withthe vertical center of the wheel so that the wheel can be; turned with ease, because the lateral displacement at the point of traction is very slight. Thus, it,will be seen, that the swivel connection for the wheel is simple in construction and the wheels can be easily and readily operated when necessary in steering the vehicle. I ..The front Wheels B, B (see Figs. 1, 2-and 3) are connected together for conjoint-lat eral movement by a cross-connection com-. prising a link'20' (see Figs. 2 and 3) the front end of which is pivotally connected, toan arm 19 of the spindle of wheel B and the other end of said linkis connected to a bell-crank lever 21 which is pivotally connected to the frame as at 22, across-connector orlink ,23 connected to one arm of lever 21 and to an oppositelyarrangedbell-crank 65 lever 24' which is pivotally's'istained as at this connection the front wheels are always 25 and a'link 26 pivotally connected to the other arm of lever 24 andwhich has its front end pivotally connected to the arm 19 of thespindle of wheel B. By means of 76 shifted in parallel relation with ,respect to a each other {The rear wheels. 0 and O are a similarly 'olnnectedsfor conjoint parallel shift by a link 27 having its rear end pivotally connected to the arm 19, of the spindle of wheel C, and a bell crank lever 28 pivoted as at 28 to the frame.- The front end oflinlr 27 is connected to one arm of said lever and a cross connector 29 is pivotall c'onnected to the other arm of said lever.

. be ll-cra nk lever 28 to which the other end end connected to the arm 19.0f the spindle -oftraction wheel C. This cross-connectionserves to turn the rear wheels in parallel relation under control of the mechanism hereinafter described.

,Aydriving-connection (see Figs. 8, 9 and 10. is rovided for each of the traction- I V :WlltllS, hich permits them to be shifted form of, hearing may be employed. It will tween the wheels and the fixed axle or frame. Each' of said driving-connections comprises a gear-wheel 30 provlded with internal teeth,

latera ly about the pivotal connections bea pinion 31 journaled on a stud or trunnion se ured to spindle 12, a pinion 32 secured to alshont shaft 33 which is journaled in a bearing a l on the axle A, and a shaft 35 formed of telescopic sections slidably con .nected to each other and respectively con? nected by a universaljoin t 36 to pinion-31 which moves with the spindle'and by a 1 niversal, joint 37 to shaft 33. This construction provides a connection between the pin ion '32 or driving element which is mounted on the fra 1e and the laterally movable pinion 31 w ich'is at all times retained in engagement with gear wheel 30 of the traction wheel. The flexible connection-between said pinions' permits the traction wheel to be pivot to drive the vehicle'in the desired 129 conrse and which 1S simple in construction. Varialr t. drive mechanism is provided for respectively driving the vehicle and for driving the wheels at one side at' differential speed with respect to those at the other side in turning the vehicle and for positively driving each of them at tractionmaintaining speed, and for conjointly varying the speed of all of the tractionwheels A of the vehicle. This mechanism is also con 130 structed so that when all of t-httraction wheels are turned in the same direction to cause the vehicle to move bodily and quickly to eitherside, all of the wheels .will be driven at the same speed as well aspro viding for difl erential driving when the vehicle is turned so the rear wheels: will follow in the path of the front wheel.

The variable drive mechanism: (see Figs. 1, 2, 7,11 and '12) comprises an adjustable pulley'E and a pair of adjustable pulleys F, F", all of which are operatively connected by a belt G. Belt G extends around' the adjustable rims of pulley sections E, F and F,'- and around a pair of adjustable guide 'oridler-pulleys 40 mounted in brackets 40 Pulleys E, F .and F are conjointly adjustable to drive secured to the main-frame.

. travels may be varied as desired and the relative speedv of the traction-wheels can be varied to positively drive all of them when the vehicle is driven around a turn or corner;

Each of the adjustable pulleys, (see Figs. 11 and 12) comprises a pair of sides 41 longitudinally movable with respect to each other on a shaft and having oppositely arranged inclined guide bars 42to which rimsections 43 are slidably connected by boxes 44. By relative longitudinal movement of the pulley-sides the adjustable rim-sections may be shifted radially and positively in-- wardly or outwardly to vary the diameter oftherim, thus adjusting the size of the pulley. Each pulley-side 41 is provided with a hub 42* and a non-revolubly held collar 45 to hold the pulley sides in assigned position longitudinally and against outward movement A suitable ball-bearing 46 (see Fig. 12) is interposed between collar 45 and the hub 42 of each pulley-side. When the collars 45 are adjusted longitudinally by mechanism hereinafter described, the pulley-sides arecorrespondingly shifted to ad. just the rim-sections inwardly or outwardly. Each collar 45 is provided with rollers orstuds 46 with which engages a controller or shifter for the pulley. Each pulley is connected to its shaft by a key and groove 42 so the pulley and shaft revolve together.

The main driving pulley E is mounted on a mam-driving shaft 48 being connected thereto by a key and roove 42: so as to be driven thereby. Sha 48 is usually pro vided with a reversing gear'and clutch (not shown) driven by the motor. -This shaft is journaled in bearings 49 secured to frame A and may be operatively connected to ,the

motor in any suitable or usual manner. Pulley F is mounted on and operatively connected by key and groove 42 to shaft 50, which is mounted in bearings 51 secured to the vehicle. frame. The front end of shaft 50 is operatively connected (Figs. 1'

and 2) to gear 32 for traction-wheel B, by'

universal joints 52' and. 54, shaft 53 and gear 47 to provide a drivingconnection for the said traction-wheel and the rear end of said shaft is connected to gear 32 fortraction-wheel C by universal joint 55, 57 shaft 56 and gear 58 to provide 'driving-connection for the rear-traction wheel G. Thus the shaft, driven by the pulley F .is connected to the front and rear wheels at the' Pulley F is one side of the vehicle. mounted on and operatively connected to a shaft 50, which is mounted in bearings 51 secured to the main frame and has 'its 'front and rearends respectively; connected-- to the'traction-wheels B and C by similar shaft, universal joint and gear connections,

to operatively connect and positively drive" the front and rear traction-wheels at the other side of the machine. I

Inturning a corner or controlling the course of the vehicle in the usual manner and so the rear wheels follow the path of the front wheels, the inner wheels travel over an arc of shorter radius than traveled by the outer wheels and must therefore be driven at a lower relative speed, if the traction of all the wheels is to be utilized. Re-

sultantly, the relative speeds of pulleys F and F must be varied to positively drive the wheels at each side of the vehicle. When varying the speed'of' the vehicle the relative speed of pulleys F and F is maintained but their speed with respect to the main driving pulley E is varied. In steering the vehicle the relative speed oftlie pulleys F and F is varied to drive thetraction-wheels according to the course in which the yehicle is traveling. When the vehicle is steered by swinging all of the wheels in the same direction the wheels are all driven at the same relative speed.

The size of the drive-pulley E is controlled by a pair of vertically slidable shifters 60 (Fig. 11) the lower ends of which are. each provided with a cam surface 61 adapted to engage the rollers 46 of the adjustingcollars 45 at the opposite sides of pulley E. Each shifter 60 is connected by a link or bar 62 to an arm 63 secured to a rock-shaft 64-. Said rock-shaft is supported from the frame by brackets 64 (Fig. l). The pulleys F and F which 'are drlven by the belt G are conjointly adjusted with pulley E, e.,

v the pulleys.

when the sizeof the pulley E is increased the size of pulleys F and F are correspondor roller 69 on an arm 71 which is secured toa rock-shaft 72, journalcd in bearings sus. ta-ined by the frame. Each rock-shaft 72 has rigidly secured thereto a pair-of arms 74 (Fig. 12 and 13) the upper ends of which are pivotally connected by a stud and slot 75 to a slidable and laterally movable shifter 76. Each shifter is provided at one of its ends with cam-surfaces 77 in engagement withthe studs of one of the adj/Listing collars 46 ofpulley F and at its other end with cam-surfaces 78 in engagement with the adjusting studs of collar '45 of the pulley F. Cams 77 and 78 when moved inwardly -.or-'outwardly adjust the pulleys F and F simultaneously with the adjustment of pul ley E and so that when the size of both pulleys F anCl FfjYill be proportionately varied so the belt will be retained in operation with respect to the pulleys and without variation" of the relative speed of pulleys F, .F. To

vary the speed of the vehicle, shifter 60 will be operated longitudinally by rock-shaft 64, arms 63 and links 62 to shift the adjustingcollars of the pulley- E and simultaneously cams 70 of shifters 60 will operate rollers 69, arms 71, rock-shafts72, arms 74, stud and slot-connections 75, shifters '7 6, to

- conjointly shift the adjusting collars 45 of pulleys F, F inwardly or outwardly to correspondingly vary the size of thepulleys F and F with respect to pulley E.

The regative speed ,of pulleys F and F is controlle by 'the steering mechanism and is variable to correspond to the direction in which the wheels travel; the degree of variation corresponding to the angle at which the traction-wheels are turned. -v if The variable-speed driving mechamsmis controlled by and connected to a hand-wheel 98 (Figs. 4,5 and 6) whereby the operator can at will, control and vary the-speed 'of the machine by adjustment of the variable drive mechanism. Hand wheel 98 is pro: vided with a hub 97 which is provided with an internal screw-thread 99 on a steering}- shaft 101 hereinafter more fully describe Screw 99 and shaft? 101 are secured against longitudinal movementand by relativ e rotation of hand-wheel 9,8 with respect to the steering shaft, hub 97 is moved longitudinally to operate a collar 96 which is held in a groove formed in said hub and in such manner that the hub of the-l1and-wheel can be rotated independently of the collar and so that longitudinal movement of the handwheel will shift said collarlongitudinally,

changed the Operator will rotate-"handfwheel or lever 98 around screw '99softhe ='steering shaft to impart longitudinal movelagte the rock-shaft 64 and adjustthe pulleys bythdconnections between said shaft and the shifters hereinbefore described. By the controlling mechanism described the size of ment to the rods 93 and 91 which will oscil-i 10 per end of a rod 93 which has its lower end the pulleys E, F, F may be adjusted to I drive the vehicle atany desired speed within the limits of the adjustment oi said pulleys/ Steering mechanism is provided whereby "all the wheels may be shifted in the same direction to cause both the front and rearwheels to travel likewise in the same dlrecpath Of'tllQ front Wheels. .The controlling mechanism for steering the vehicle'is/ adapttion and whereby the front and rearwheels the vehicle to turn in such manner, that the ed to adjust the driving-mechanism to vary twith respect to those at'the other sidethe degree offivariation corresponding to the difierence' in the lengths of the paths of wheels and thus each of the Wheels will be positively driven at proper relative speed controlling mechanism which 'cobjointly controls the steering and driving mechanisms. When all of the traction wheels ,are turned in the same direction, the proper speed for efficient traction is obtained by driving'fiall of the wheels at the same. speed, because the paths are of equal length and the steeringmechanism is adapted to thus shift the 'w eelswithout varying'the relative speed steering mechanism is operated independ ently of the speed adjusting mechanism;

The steering-mechanism (Figs. 1, 3, 5 and the relative speed of the wheels at one side.

wheels overwhich the traction-wheels travel when they are turnedto cause the rear wheels to. follow in the path e fthe front for'flicie nt traction and inresponse to the .of the wheels. In operation the controlling 6) comprises a controller-wheel or other r at proper relative speed to maintain eilicient v suitable lever 100 secured to steering-shaft 101 which is revolubly mounted in a journal bracket 102, being held against longitudinal play therein by collars 103. A screw 1041 secured to the lower end of shaftv 101 engages a pair of tooth-wheels or pinions 105 and 106 and rotates the shafts 105 and 106 of said pinions in opposite directions respectively, when thesteering shaft isrotated. Pinion 105 operates a crank 107, which is connected by a link or bar 108 to the cross-connection for the front traction-wheels at 109. In like manner pinion 106 operates a crank 110 connected by a link 111 to the cross-connection for the rear traction-wheels as at 112. Pinion-shafts 105 and 106 are 'journaled in extensions-of bracket 102 in which the steering-shaft is j'ournaled and are thereby retained in perative relation with respect to the steering-shaft. Rotation of the steering-shaft operates pinions 105 and 106 in opposite directions and resultantly the front wheels will be turned thereby about their pivots 15 in one direction, while the rear wheels will be turned in opposite direction so that the rear wheels will-substantially follow the paths of the front wheels In this manner of steering vehicles the wheels at the one side of the vehicle will travel over a shortercourse than the outer wheels and the purpose of varying the relative speed of'the wheels at one side of the vehicle with respect to the wheels at the other side is to positively drive the several wheels traction.

--P.ulleys F and F are conjointly andrelatively variable, conjointly with the steering mechanism. To efiiect the -relative adjust- -ment of said pulleys, pinidn-shaft 105 is I movable shifters 76 bya flexible telescopic connected (Figs. 1, 3 and 6) to the laterally shaft 113, which is connected to s'haft"105 by a universal joint 114 and to a rock-shaft 116 by a like j'oint 115. Said rock-shaft is connected to each of the shifters 76 by an arm 117- and link 118 (Fig. 7). -By this mechanism shifters 76 maybe adjusted so the pulleys F and F will be driven at different speed and at the proper relative speed to drive the wheels at one side at proper speed with respect to those at the other when turning a corner. When the steerin -wheel 100 is turned in one direction pinions 105 and 106 will-be turned in opposite directions respectively. The crossconnections for the front wheels will swing them in one direction and the cross-connections for the rear-wheelswill be operated to turn them in reverse direction so that the rear wheels will be driven to follow in the paths of the front wheels. The driving mechanism will also respond to such opera tion of the-steering-wheel to drive the wheels .tudinally to adjust pulleys F' and F, so

they will be driven at the proper relative speed. Said shifters are mounted to slide longitudinally the stud and slot connections being formed to permit longitudinal movement of the shifters, independent of the shifters for main drive-pulley E by mechanism aforesaid and when operated by the steering-wheel will be adjusted so that the cams at one end thereof will shift and. adjust collars 45 of one of the pulleys F, F inwardly 'while the cams at the other end thereof will permitthe belt G to adjust the other pulley outwardly, thus varying the relative sizes of said pulleys to compensate for the differences in the length of the course traveled by the wheels and so they willbe ositively drivenv at the proper speed.

hen thus differentially adjusted shaft 50 which drives the traction-whee ls at one side -of the vehicle will be driven at a different speed than the shaft 50 which drives the I traction-wheels at the other. side of the vehicle, this differentiation varying in degree to correspond to the diiferencesof the curvilinear path lengths traversed by the wheels and the angle at which the tractionwheels are .run. Thus the traction-wheels are positively driven in turning the vehicle and at different relative speeds to drive the vehicle without any slipping of the wheels over the ground when turning a corner.

' One of the important features of the present invention consists in providing means whereby the vehicle may be caused to sheer laterally more readily and quickly than is possible when the more usual way of steering that is by causing the rear wheels to follow thepaths of the front wheels is adapted. Inasmuch as all of the wheels are traction-wheels and are positively driven by the mechanism heretofore described, manifestly, by turning all of the wheels in the same direction, boththe front and rear travel laterally in quick response to the steering or controlling mechanism. For this reason mechanism is provided whereby the operator can readily swing the wheels in the same direction independently of the adjusting means for the riving mechanism when this method. of steering is employed. Preferably although not necessarily this shift of all of the traction-wheels in the portions of the vehicle may be caused to I same direction is accomplished by difi'ernt-ial operation of the controlling means employed"for shifting the wheels at the front and rear in opposite directions respectively, Journal-bracket 102 (Figs. 1, 4: and 5) in 'hich the steering-shaft is journal'ed is pivotally mounted in a fixed bracket 120, be-

ing connected thereto by trunnions 121. This construction permits the steering-shaft andcontroller 100 to be tilted laterally in either direction and thereby cranks 110 and 107 may be shifted laterally and bodily to operate the cr0ssconnectioi1s for the front and rear wheels, so all of the wheels will be turned in the same direction as clearly shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings. The flexible telescopic shaft 113 permits tilting of the steering-shaft and its-connected parts without turning shaft' 116 which controls adjustment of the driving mechanism. The connection for the speed-varying mechanism comprise rods 93 and 91 connected by a joint 94 substantially concentric with the pivotal connect-ion between journalbracket 102 and the frame bracket "120 so 'that'lateral tilting of the steering-shaft and the controller will not disturb connection I for controlling the mechanism; By tilting the steering-lever and shaft .101 to one side or to the other all of the traction-wheels will, quickly in'response thereto, be swung in the same direction to cause the vehicle to sheer la-terall and more quickly than is possible when he rear wheels are swung to follow in the paths of the front wheels.

The operation of the improved mechanism will be as fellows. Assuming the driving mechanism to be in the position shown in Fig.2 and shaft 18-to be driven by'amotor all of the traction-wheels will be driven by power communicated from shaft 48 to pulby E and from said pulley bjy belt G to pulleys F and F which wi'l/lf be in position to drive shaftsfitl and 51 at the same relative speed, which will,by means of shafts .53 and 56 and the driving-conntctions at each of the wheels, drive all of the tractionwheels at the same speed, whereupon the vehicle will travel forwardly in straight direction. If the operator desires to decrease or increase the speed of the vehicle hewill.

operate controller-wheel accordingly "shift the connection including collar 96,, rods 93, 91, arm 90 and'shaft 64 and arms 63 to operate shifters 60 so the cams 61 will adjust the adjusting-collars 45 of pulley E. Cams 70 of shifters 60 will simultaneously operate arms 71, rock-shafts 73, arms 74: and connections 75 .to operate shifters 76 which controls theadjustment of pulleys F and F. Said pulleyswill be. adjusted equidistantly and conjointly to such extent that the belt will be retained in operative relation with all of the pulleys, z. 6., if the size of pulley F will be decreased and vice versa.

Therefore, by operation of controller 98 the driving mechanism can be gradually adjusted to drive the vehicle at any desired speed. To steer the vehicle the operator may turn-controller 100 to operate the crosi connections for the front and rear tractionby means 0 screw 104, pinions 105, 106, cranks 107,110 and links 108 and 111. .The.

swung thereby, in opposite directions re-. spectively, the wheels of the front being shifted in substantial parallel direction and the rear wheels resulting from rotation of the controller 100 is such as to cause the rear wheels to travel over'the same path as the front wheels. This operation of the controller 100 also effects adinstment'of the driving mechanism to differentially drive the traction-wheels. at one side with respect to those 'on the other'side to correspond to the curved paths in which they travel respectively, by means of shafts 113, 116, cranks 117 and links 118 which operate shifters 7 6 longitudinally so the dams at their ends will increase the size of one of the pulleys F, F and correspondingly deeach traction-wheel will be positively driven at the proper relative speedto cause the vehicle to travel in the course desired and according to the direction of the tractionwheels determined by the steering-mecha- IllSIIl. v

When it is desired to cause the vehicle to sheer laterally, it is only necessary or the pivots 121, so cranks 107, 110 and links 108 and 111 which will shift said cranks bodily and operate the cross-connections of the front and rear traction-wheels, so they will be swung in parallel relation with each other and in the same direction. Such operation will not adjust the differential drivingmechanism and result in driving all of the lent operation without turningshaft 116.

The invention is not to be understood as restricted to the construction shown and described since these may be varied without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim as new and ,desire to secure by Letters Patent, is: I

1. In a motor-vehicle, the combination of a pair .of front and a pair of rear dirigible ing connection for each of said wheels, means for swinging all of the wheels in the same direction, means for swinging one of said pairs of wheels differentially with respect to the other pair-and means for driving the wheels at one side at different speed with respect to the wheels at the other side.

2. In a motor-vehicle, the combination of v a pair of front and a pair of rear dirigible I traction wheels, variable speed driving mechanism, a driving-connection for each of front and rear traction-wheels may be" operator to tilt thesteering-wheel about its;

traction-wheel's, driving mechanism, a drivwheels in o posite directions respectively,

crease the size of the other pulley. Then i traction-wheels at the same speed, the telesc0p1c-s'haftl13 permitting such independ- Having thus described the invention,what

said wheels, means for swinging all of the wheels in the same direction, means for other side.-

3. In a motor-vehicle, the combination of a pair of front and a pair of rear dirigible traction-wheels, driving mechanism, a driv-. ing connection for each of said wheels,

means for swinging all of the wheels in the.

same direction, means for conjointly swinging the front and rear wheels in opposite directions respectively and means for driving the wheels at one side at different speed'with respect to those at the other.

4:. In a motor-vehicle, thecombination of -a pair of front and a pair of rear dirigible traction wheels, varlable speed driving mechanism, a drivin connection for each of said wheels, means .or swinging all of the wheels in the same direction,'means for conjointly swinging the front and rear wheels in opposite directions respectively and means for driving the wheels at one side at different speed. with respect to those at the other.

5. In a motor vehicle, the combination of apair of front and a pair.of rear dirigible traction-wheels, mechanism for driving all of said wheels, controlling-means for said wheels, steering-mechanism operated by said controlling-means and including means for swinging all of said wheels in the same direction and for swinging the front pair of wheels oppositely to the rear pair, and means operated by said controlling-means for causing the wheels at one side to be driven at a different speed with respect to the wheels at the other when the wheels are swung oppositely. I

6. In a motor-vehicle, the combination of a pair of front and a pair of rear dirigible traction-wheels, Variable mechanism for driving all of said wheels, controllin'gemeans for said wheels, steeringmechanism operated by said controllingmeans and including means for swinging all of said wheels in thesame direction and for swinging the front pair ofwheels op positely to the rear pair, and means operated by said controllingmeans for causing the wheels at one side to be driven at a different speed with respect to the wheels at the other whenthe wheels are swung op-- positely. v

7. In a motor-vehicle, the combination (if a pair offront anda pair of rear dirigibld tions between said device and all of said" wheels including means whereby all of the wheels may be conjointly swung in the same direction, and means whereby one pair df speed drivingwheels may be swung difi'erentiallyf with I respect to the other pair.

8. In a motor-vehicle, the comblnatlon of a pair of front and a pair of rear dirigiblewheels, mechanism for driving a pair of sa d wheels, a unitary steering-'devlce and constant connections between said device and all of the wheels including means Whereby all of the wheels maybe conjointly swung in the same direction, and means whereby one ,pair of wheels may be swung 1 difl'erentially with respect to the other pair.

9.. In a motor-vehicle, the combination of a pair of front and a pair of rear dirigible wheels, variable speed driving mechanism for driving a pair of said wheels, a unitary steering-device and'constant connections between said device and all of the wheels including means whereby all of the wheels may be conjointly swung in the same direction and means whereby one pair of wheels may be swung differentially with respect to the .other pair. i

10. In a motor-vehicle, the combination of a pair of front and a' pair of rear dirigible wheels, variable speed mechanism for driving all of said wheels, a unitary steeringdevice and constant connections between said device and all of the wheels including 'means whereby all of the wheels may be conjointly swung'in the same direction, and

means whereby one pair of wheels may be swung differentially with respect to the other pair. I

11. In a motor-vehicle, the combination of a pair of front and a pair of-rear dirigible traction-wheels, driving mechanism for a pair of said wheels and a revoluble pivotally sustained steering-shaft and connections whereby the wheels will be differentially operated when the shaft is rotated and the shaft is tilted about its pivotal support respectively. v

12. In a motor-vehicle, the combination of a pair of front and a pair of rear dirigible tract-ionwheels, a revoluble pivotally sustained steering-shaft and mea'ns whereby all -of the wheels will be swung in one direction, when the shaft is tilted and whereby the wheels will be differentially swung when the shaft is rotated. 1

13. In a motorvehicle, the combination of a pair of front and a pair of rear dirigible traction -'wheels, mechanism for a pair of said wheels and a revoluble pivotally sustained steering-shaft and connections whereby the wheels will be differentially operated when the-shaft is rotated and tilted about its pivotal support respectively. I

14. In 'a motor-vehicle, the combination of a pair of front and a pair of rear dirigi: ble traction-wheels, variable speed driving, mechanism for a pair of said wheels, arevoluble pivotally sustained steering-shaft variable-speed driving and means whereby all of the wheels will be swung in one direction, when the shaft is tilted and whereby the Wheels will-be differentially swung when the shaftis r0- 5 tated.

15. In a motor-vehicle, the combination of a pair of front and a pair of rear dirigible tra'etion-wheels, variable speed mechanism, for driving a pair of said wheels, a revolu- 10 ble pivotally sustained steering-shaft, means 1 i whereby the steering-Wheels will be swung differentially when the shaft is turned and when the shaft is tilted respectively and a speed changing device also operatively connected to said shaft.

; STEPHEN B. GRAY.

Witnesses-z J. W. ELLIOTT, J12, J. ALLERTON PALMER. 

